On the run and loving it!

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Tanvir Kazmi

Without their eyes on the finish line, it’s the sheer love of running that gets them going. Sunday’s Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is the perfect time for many amateur runners to join the race. Among them are several young professionals who not only run for the simple joy of it, but also motivate others to put on their running shoes and experience a life change.

Young techie Tanvir Kazmi has participated in all major marathons across the country. This marathon, he brings along the concept of “pacers” as he leads a running group of 300. Pacers, Tanvir explains, are runners who set their own time within which they aim to complete the marathon. “For them, the idea is not to win the race, but to enjoy the run comfortably within the agreed time,” he says.
“Many casual runners, who may not be athletic, run for the fun of going out on the road or just to de-stress,” says Tanvir, who put on his running shoes seven years back, when during a time management workshop he was asked to take up a goal he would aim at achieving. “I randomly chose running a marathon. And here I am on the tracks,” says Tanvir, who also runs an online forum for runners, delhirunners.com and focusses on the youth.
Fixing their flawed lifestyle and learning time management skills is what is driving many youngsters to take up the running route, informs Gurgaon-based participant Rahul Vergherse, who bid adieu to a corporate career to start Running and Living. “We receive at least 50 emails everyday from youngsters who want to get rid of insomnia as we advocate running as its cure,” he says. “The best part of group running is that it’s an informal activity, and eventually becomes a social and self-help group,” he says.
Sanjay Jindal, who works as an engineer with Indian Oil, heads Sunday Run Club, a group for working professionals. “We organise special weekend runs at venues like the Lodhi Garden and Okhla bird sanctuary. For working professionals, group running is a great way not only to connect and stay fit,” he says.